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Blog | Alto Pharmacy

Many of us are familiar with heartburn, a burning sensation in the throat frequently triggered by what we eat. While occasional heartburn can often be prevented or managed with lifestyle adjustments and over-the-counter medications, more frequent or severe cases may indicate an underlying condition that requires additional treatment.

Here’s what to know about the causes and triggers of heartburn and treatment options.

How to Prevent or Treat Heartburn

Many of us are familiar with heartburn, a burning sensation in the throat frequently triggered by what we eat. While occasional heartburn can often be prevented or managed with lifestyle adjustments and over-the-counter medications, more frequent or severe cases may indicate an underlying condition that requires additional treatment.

Here’s what to know about the causes and triggers of heartburn and treatment options.

The burning sensation that characterizes heartburn is caused by reflux, an issue with the digestive process. Normally, a valve at the bottom of your esophagus called the esophageal sphincter allows food to enter your stomach, where acids help digest what you’ve eaten.

Reflux occurs when the esophageal sphincter doesn’t close as it should, allowing acid to pass from the stomach into the esophagus. While your stomach is equipped to handle this acidic mixture, your esophagus is more sensitive, and reflux results in the discomfort of heartburn.

There are several potential causes of heartburn, including the following:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Severe, recurring heartburn may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or chronic acid reflux.

Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and the pressure of your growing baby during pregnancy may affect esophageal function.

Eating habits: Dietary choices, the size of your meals, and eating close to bedtime frequently factor into heartburn.

Lifestyle habits: Acid reflux has also been linked to smoking and high levels of stress.

Medications: Certain medications — including over-the-counter pain relief medications such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) and aspirin; tricyclic antidepressants; and some blood pressure and heart medications — are known to irritate the esophagus, resulting in heartburn or increasing the severity of GERD.

Food and drinks that are known to trigger heartburn include:

Citrus fruits like oranges, limes, and lemons

Many people are able to manage mild or occasional heartburn with small changes to their routine or habits. Here are some steps to take as a starting point.

Many health experts suggest eating at least three to four hours before going to bed so that your stomach has time to empty.

Eating smaller portions or having multiple smaller meals throughout the day rather than a few larger ones may help prevent heartburn.

In addition to avoiding triggers like onions, tomatoes, and spicy or acidic foods, eating certain foods may help you manage heartburn discomfort. Oatmeal and whole grains can absorb and reduce acid. Replacing full-fat dairy products with low-fat ones is often another effective preventative measure.

Some people find that belts and tight clothing can trigger their acid reflux.

Slouching may put additional pressure on your abdomen, which can in turn cause acid to enter the esophagus. Try to sit straight and maintain an upright position.

If you frequently experience heartburn, lying flat on your back likely isn’t the best sleep position. For relief, elevate your upper body as much as possible with a wedge pillow or by adjusting the settings on your bed, if possible.

Over-the-counter medications for heartburn

Along with the above changes to lifestyle habits, over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help manage mild cases of heartburn. Three types of OTCs are frequently used to treat heartburn: antacids, acid blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.

OTC antacids including Tums®, Rolaids®, Maalox®, and Gaviscon® relieve heartburn by reducing the amount of acid in your stomach.

In some cases, these medications may cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, or stomach cramps. They aren’t recommended for those with symptoms of appendicitis or bowel inflammation. Consult with your doctor in advance about the best way to take these medications.

OTC acid blockers including Pepcid AC® and Tagamet HB® block production of stomach acid to relieve heartburn and other digestive issues.

Your provider may advise you to take antacids when you first begin to take an acid blocker. Antacids are faster-acting and can help relieve heartburn discomfort while acid blocker effects begin. Always follow your doctor’s directions. In most cases, an antacid is taken an hour before or an hour after taking an acid blocker. 

Stronger acid blockers are available by prescription only.

Proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec® also block production of stomach acid.

Purchase pharmacy essentials like Tums and Prilosec through the Alto Essentials store in our mobile app!

If OTC medications don’t ease your heartburn, your provider may prescribe you a medication. There are two main classes of prescription medications for heartburn.

Prescription-strength acid blockers including Pepcid, Tagamet, and Zantac® offer a higher dose than their OTC counterparts to relieve more severe heartburn and treat GERD.

Prescription-strength proton pump inhibitors including Aciphex®, Nexium®, Prevacid®, Prilosec, and Protonix® are highly effective at blocking production of stomach acid.

When should I speak to a doctor about heartburn?

It typically isn’t advised to use any OTC heartburn medication for longer than two weeks without speaking to your doctor.

You should also speak to your doctor about your heartburn if your stool is darker than usual or you’re experiencing vomiting in addition to other symptoms.

Some heartburn medications including Tums and Prilosec are available for purchase in the Essentials Store in the Alto app. You can also add these products to your order when scheduling your medication delivery.

If your treatment plan includes a prescription medication, we’ll make it as simple as possible to manage, with free-same day delivery and support with insurance and savings opportunities.

Reach out with any questions by phone at 1-800-874-5881 or in-app messaging.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

All third party trademarks (including logos and icons) referenced by Alto Pharmacy remain the property of their respective owners. Unless specifically identified as such, Alto’s use of third party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship or endorsement between Alto and the owners of these trademarks.

The lungs are one of our most essential organs — and one of the easiest to take for granted. If you aren’t living with respiratory problems or at risk of developing them, you might not give your lungs too much attention.

Why Everyone Should Be Thinking About Lung Health

But the truth is that anyone should keep lung health top of mind, for several reasons. First, your lungs become weaker as you age, like many other parts of the body, and the actions you take today can help you breathe easier for years to come. Secondly, while most of us are aware that smoking damages your lungs, we don’t always think about other risk factors for lung disease, many of which are all around us.

Fortunately, small actions can make a big impact when it comes to lung health — including many healthy habits that fit easily into your day. Here are some important steps to take.

Okay, you probably expected this one, but there’s a reason it’s at the top of our list. Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of both lung cancer — the leading cause of cancer death among U.S. adults — and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Cigarette smoke harms the lungs in several ways. It narrows the airways, causes swelling and inflammation, and gradually damages lung tissue over time.

Smoking cessation is the most important thing you can do to maintain good lung health, and it is never too late (or too early) to quit. If you’re living with COPD, quitting smoking can slow the progression of the condition. Research has found that many people with early-stage COPD are able to regain near-normal lung function after quitting tobacco use.

If you’re having difficulty quitting, don’t be discouraged. It often takes multiple attempts. Ask your doctor for smoking cessation resources, like nicotine replacement therapy, to support your efforts.

2. Avoid exposure to indoor and outdoor pollutants

Avoid secondhand smoke and other indoor pollutants as much as possible. Radon, a naturally occurring gas that can get trapped in houses and buildings, is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Many homes and office buildings have unsafe levels of radon. Testing is necessary to determine radon levels. Testing kits are available online and at many hardware stores.

In addition, be mindful of potential exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens including uranium, diesel exhaust, and workplace chemicals.

Read How to Improve Indoor Air Quality at Home for more tips

Many pollutants are found in outdoor air, and climate change continues to negatively impact outdoor air quality. There are resources that share information about local daily air quality. Stay up to date and avoid outdoor exercise when air quality is poor.

The benefits of regular physical activity include not only stronger muscles, but also stronger lungs. This is because exercise forces your lungs to work harder to provide your body with additional oxygen. Over time, your lungs will get into better shape as they become more efficient at this task.

While there’s a common misconception that COPD prevents exercise, physical activity is an essential part of managing the condition. Check in with your doctor about which activities are appropriate for your lung function and stage of COPD.

Bonus tip: in addition to aerobic exercise, practice breathing exercises that also boost lung health. Diaphragmatic breathing, which involves inhaling more deeply, can increase your lung capacity. (The technique is practiced by many professional singers precisely for this reason.) To give it a try, place your hands on your stomach and chest, and slowly inhale through your nose while your stomach expands.

A strong immune system and typical flu season precautions can protect against lung infection. To stay healthy, practice good hygiene, like frequently washing hands with soap and warm water and sanitizing high-touch surfaces.

Staying up to date with vaccines is another crucial step. Health experts recommend getting the flu shot every year, ideally by the end of October. This is especially important for those who are 65 or older and/or living with COPD.

5. Attend regular doctor’s appointments

Lung diseases are often detected after they have progressed to a more advanced stage. Attend regular physicals so that your provider can listen to your breathing and address any concerns you may have about your lung health.

Depending on your health history, your prevention efforts may include getting a lung cancer screening, which can detect 80% of lung cancer cases at an early stage. These screenings are typically reserved for individuals at a high risk of lung cancer, including those who:

Ask your doctor if lung cancer screening is recommended for you.

The pharmacy that’s always on your side

At Alto, we go above and beyond to help you stay on track with your doctor’s recommendations, getting you the medication you need at the best price possible. And our pharmacists are here to chat whenever questions come up.

Switch to a better pharmacy for free same-day delivery and support with insurance and savings opportunities. Reach out any time through in-app messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881.

Why Everyone Should Be Thinking About Lung Health 

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has made parenthood a reality for many individuals and couples who once struggled to conceive, but that doesn’t mean it is an easy process. Not only is it challenging on both an emotional and financial level, the fertility medications used in a cycle can affect the body in many ways.

How to Navigate Common IVF Side Effects

Knowing what to anticipate can make the experience easier to navigate. To help you prepare as much as possible for your IVF cycle, we’ve put together a guide to medication side effects and management strategies.

This post is a deep dive into medication side effects. For a closer look at the IVF process and medication sequencing, read:

IVF and Egg Freezing: What to Expect and How to Prepare

IVF Medications: Schedule and Side Effects Explained

Below are the main categories of IVF medications and associated side effects. While individual medication protocols vary, you can generally anticipate the types of medications your doctor will prescribe.

The first phase of IVF focuses on stimulating egg growth. These are some of the medications you may take during this stage:

These medications are typically taken as nightly injections, with the exception of Clomid/Letrozole, which is an oral medication.

Known side effects of these medications include:

Injection site reaction (soreness, redness, or mild bruising)

Mood swings including heightened sensitivity, irritability, euphoria, or depression - individual responses vary

Ovulation suppression medications prevent premature ovulation — the body’s natural release of eggs from the ovaries — so that your doctor can retrieve as many eggs as possible for fertilization. These are some of the medications you may take at this stage:

Cetrotide/Fyramedel™ (ganirelix acetate)

These medications also bring the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This condition is characterized by swelling and pain in the ovaries as the result of over stimulation or an excessive hormonal response to fertility medications. Many mild cases don’t require treatment, but doctors often recommend the following medications for moderate to severe symptoms. (These medications may also be prescribed to prevent OHSS.)

Cabergoline is an oral medication, sometimes used vaginally, that can reduce OHSS symptoms

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) antagonists or letrozole suppress ovarian activity

In some cases, your doctor may recommend canceling treatment and starting a new cycle in the future after OHSS symptoms have resolved.

Once your eggs have sufficiently developed, your doctor will schedule 1-3 trigger shots to give your eggs a final growth spurt and trigger release.

At this point in your cycle you may feel very full in your abdomen as the ovaries are enlarged from growing follicles.

The final phase of IVF is the transfer of a fertilized egg into your uterus. Progesterone or estrogen supplements are often prescribed at this stage to support successful implantation of an embryo and sustain a healthy pregnancy.

Progesterone is taken as an intramuscular injection or vaginally in the form of suppositories and capsules. Known side effects include:

Soreness or swelling at the site of injection, if taking progesterone injections

Vaginal itching or burning and yeast infection, if taking vaginally

Estrogen is typically taken as a topical patch but can also be taken orally, vaginally, or as an injection. Known side effects include:

Redness or irritation in the skin covered by the patch, if taking topically

Increased vaginal discharge, if taking vaginally

Constipation, bloating, or stomach cramps  

Everyone has a different threshold for pain or discomfort. You know your body best. If anything feels unusual, it’s always worth speaking with your doctor.

Below are effective and safe ways to treat common side effects during IVF. Many over-the-counter products can be added to the next delivery of your fertility medications through Essentials From Alto.

This is one of the most common side effects during IVF, and you should expect to experience some soreness, redness, or bruising at the site of injection. You don’t need to do anything to treat the reaction; it will typically resolve itself within a few days.

Icing your skin beforehand can help keep this side effect to a minimum for intramuscular injections — the deeper of the two injection techniques used during IVF. Be sure to massage your skin afterwards, both to help the medication spread and to prevent soreness in your muscles.

Icing isn’t necessary for subcutaneous injections, the other injection technique.

If you are prescribed estrogen as a topical patch during the final phase of IVF, rotating the location of your patch can help prevent skin irritation.

The patch should be applied to an area of your skin free of powder, lotions, hair, and cuts or other irritations. The most common application sites are the lower abdomen or buttocks.

It's important to let application sites heal as much as possible before reapplying a patch. Aim for at least one week between patch applications.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is the best way to treat pain during IVF. Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) during IVF. Their anti-inflammatory properties prevent the ovaries from expanding and growing, essentially canceling out treatment.

Shop acetaminophen through Essentials From Alto.

Eating smaller meals can help reduce bloating. Some individuals also take simethicone (Gas-X®). If you develop acid reflux from bloating, Tums® is safe to take.

Order digestive health products through Essentials From Alto.

Stool softeners like Colace® and the fiber supplement Metamucil® are often used to alleviate constipation. In addition, stay hydrated — drinking more water helps stool softeners work better — and opt for fiber-rich foods.

Heating pads and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are commonly used to alleviate abdominal cramping during IVF. NSAIDs should be avoided.

Pantiliners can help absorb additional vaginal discharge caused by vaginal preparations of estrogen.

Over-the-counter nausea relief options include ginger chews, peppermints, and nausea bracelets. You can also speak with your doctor about your options for prescription nausea medication if symptoms persist.

Some IVF side effects like mood swings and hot flashes occur as the result of hormonal changes, making them harder to treat.

However, if you find that mood changes are interfering with daily activities, speak with your doctor about medication. Many medications for mood disorders are safe to take during IVF. 

Vaginal itching or burning and yeast infection

Some OTC antifungals like Monistat® are helpful for vaginal itching or burning and yeast infections. However, always check with your doctor before using these medications to make sure they’re appropriate for you. You can also ask your doctor about prescription medication options like fluconazole (Diflucan®).

For many Americans living with a chronic health condition, prescription medications are necessary to manage symptoms and prevent complications. But following a treatment plan can be easier said than done. There are many considerations involved, from managing medication interactions and side effects to staying on track with related testing and follow-up appointments. And of the 66% of U.S. adults who are prescribed medication, only half take their medication as prescribed.

National Pharmacists Month Spotlight: Wei-Lin Chang

At Alto, medication therapy management pharmacists like Wei-Lin Chang help patients navigate all the complexities of managing a chronic disease. As part of our coverage of American Pharmacist Month 2022, we spoke to Wei-Lin about her professional path, the challenges of retail pharmacy, and the importance of medication education.

What motivated you to pursue a career in pharmacy?

I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do when I first entered college. My parents encouraged me to pursue a career in healthcare, but I knew I was a bit too squeamish around needles to become a doctor or nurse.

I took a chemistry class that I really enjoyed and decided to do all the pharmacy prereqs. I then did an internship with the head of pharmacy at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Through that experience, I saw firsthand that pharmacists were a critical liaison between patients and doctors, with so much valuable information about medication strength, directions, dosing, and administration.

After that, I pretty much knew that pharmacy was for me. I’ve been practicing since 2002.

What challenges have you encountered as a pharmacist?

Before Alto, I worked in traditional retail pharmacy. In that setting, you’re so busy as a pharmacist — it’s one customer after another after another.

I worked both daytime and night shifts, and it was during the night shift, when the store was much more quiet, that I could really counsel patients without feeling so pressed for time. During the day, I simply didn’t have the free minutes to always answer patient questions or give recommendations.

Another challenge I faced was the perception of our profession. At the beginning of my career, in the early 2000s, many people I encountered didn’t know a pharmacist did much beyond putting pills in bottles and handing them off to customers. Not only did this lead to frustration from my customers, who would wonder what we were doing and why it was taking so long, it led to missed opportunities to more actively participate in a patient’s health journey. 

More medication education for patients is an urgent need within American healthcare. People taking multiple medications have to be mindful of potential side effects and medication interactions.

The growing field of medication therapy management is an opportunity for pharmacists to play an even bigger role in patient health, and I’m very proud to work for a company that prioritizes this particular area of pharmacy.

As a medication therapy management (MTM) pharmacist, I contact patients who take multiple medications — often multiple heart medications — and review their entire regimen over the phone. I make sure that they understand the purpose of each medication they’re taking and are on track with related testing.

For example, it’s important to get your liver function checked every 6-12 months if you’re taking cholesterol-lowering medications that are processed by the liver, or to get your A1C levels checked every 3-6 months if you’re taking diabetes medication.

We also discuss side effects, interactions, when to take medication, and what food to take it with. Too often, there isn’t the space for these conversations between pharmacists and patients, but they are so essential to a patient’s overall health. 

I love our pharmacy specializations. It’s unique to have a team that focuses solely on patients and another team that focuses on fulfillment. Not all pharmacies have a medication therapy management program, and it’s possible at Alto in part because of our smart allocation of resources.

Being able to use all of my time to focus on my core job functions is such a contrast to retail pharmacy, where you’re constantly bombarded from all sides at once.

As a pharmacist, what does “care” mean to you?

Care to me means going above and beyond for your patients and making sure all loose ends are tied. As an example, I recently initiated a transfer for one of the heart medications a patient takes. At Alto, we always complete every single step of the prescription transfer process on the patient’s behalf. He was so appreciative, and when I got off the phone, I could tell from his voice that he was smiling ear to ear. That’s the experience I want all of my patients to have.

This is part of a series of pharmacist profiles to recognize American Pharmacist Month 2022. To keep the Pharmacist Month celebrations going, meet patient care pharmacist Travis Allison and specialty patient care pharmacist Gabrielle Kaplan.

A child’s diabetes care needs don’t stop during the school day, and starting a new school year or returning to the classroom after a diagnosis can be overwhelming for students and parents alike. Advanced planning and coordination with school staff can ease the transition and ensure that your child has everything they need to stay safe and healthy while at school. Below, we highlight the most important steps to take.

Managing Your Child’s Diabetes at School

To ensure effective management of your child’s diabetes during the school day, school staff should be informed of your child’s treatment plan as well as what to do in the event of a hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia emergency. There are two important plans to finalize and share with the school.

A diabetes medical management plan (DMMP) is the foundation of your child’s care regimen at school. It translates your endocrinologist’s recommendations into actionable items for your child’s school nurse, teacher, and other school staff members who are responsible for students.

A DMMP should cover every aspect of your child’s diabetes management, including the following. The American Diabetes Association has a detailed DMMP template that you can use as a starting point.

Insulin therapy needs, including the delivery device and timing of dosages and whether to contact you to adjust a dose

Important considerations for physical activities

Diabetes care needs — and the amount of support a child needs with them — evolve with time. Include information about your child’s self-care skills in your plan, clarifying specifically what support will be required from staff. Each school year, revisit your child’s DMMP with your endocrinologist and make updates if needed.

As you finalize your child’s treatment plan and your DMMP, consult with your endocrinologist about your insulin delivery device options. Many children find it convenient to use an insulin pump while at school, given the ease of use and automated timing of injections.

Insulin pens, which combine insulin and a syringe into a single device, also allow for faster and easier administration than syringes. (Some types of insulin pens are covered under pharmacy benefits — Alto may be able to help your child get started with these devices.)

You may also want to explore a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device for your child’s blood glucose monitoring needs. In contrast to traditional blood glucose meters (BGMs), which provide a single blood glucose reading by pricking a finger, CGMs automatically collect glucose readings regularly throughout the day. They can identify patterns that aren’t as easily captured by a traditional BGM and eliminate the need to step away for blood sugar readings. (Some CGMs give you the option of adding “followers,” so that you can alert your child’s provider and the school nurse to a potential emergency.)

504 Plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP)

After your DMMP has been finalized, the next step is to draft a 504 plan or individualized education program (IEP). This plan takes all of the information about your child’s care needs from the DMMP and documents the school’s specific responsibilities.

If the school nurse will typically oversee your child’s care, a 504 plan should address who will step in if the nurse is unavailable. Account for after-school activities and events and field trips as well.

Share any relevant information with your child. For example, make sure they know who to go to for help with blood sugar testing or if they experience symptoms of low blood sugar.

This plan should be revisited each year and shared with anyone who will be responsible for your child during the school day or at school events. View the ADA’s template for a 504 plan.

Many staff members are integral to a child’s diabetes management during the school day: the school nurse, your child’s teacher, and administration, as well as the sponsors of extracurricular activities and nutrition service staff. Their knowledge of diabetes and level of comfort overseeing care may vary. In addition to distributing the DMMP and 504, consider asking your healthcare professional to lead a special training for key staff members.

Have one-on-one conversations as needed to get any information about school policies that impact your child’s diabetes. Here are some topics to cover with specific staff members.

Make sure that you, your child, and your child’s teacher are on the same page about each other’s needs. Ask about classroom rules and guidelines, such as what a student needs to do in order to leave the room — is it necessary to ask permission each time? Let the teacher know more about your child’s specific signs of hypoglycemia, as these vary by individual.

Many children with diabetes find it helpful to bring lunch to school, for carbohydrate counting purposes. If your child will eat meals in the cafeteria, request information about the menu and dietary guidelines from a member of the nutrition services team.

Participating in physical activities is both beneficial to your child’s diabetes management and important for their social life. Share any relevant information with the physical education instructor or another staff member to ensure that your child can safely participate.

Make sure your child’s school has all diabetes essentials on hand, including the following:

Blood glucose meter and extra batteries (include these as a backup even if your child uses a CGM)

Insulin and syringes or pens (include these as a backup even if your child uses a pump)

In addition, be sure that the school has the supplies needed to treat hypoglycemia in an emergency. Ideally, there will be one emergency kit in the nurse’s office and another in the classroom. Label it with your child’s name and include the following:

During your conversations with school staff, discuss a system for keeping track of supplies and notifying you when low.

Lastly, your child should wear a medical ID necklace or bracelet to school every day. This will ensure that they receive prompt and correct treatment in the event of an emergency.

A partner in your child’s diabetes care

Navigating your child’s diabetes diagnosis is easier with a reliable pharmacy partner. At Alto, we’re committed to making it as simple as possible to manage diabetes, with free same-day delivery and medication management tools like reminders and auto refills in our app. And our dedicated diabetes support team is here to ensure that you have all the information you need to follow the treatment plan your child’s doctor recommends.

Reach out any time by phone at 1-800-874-5881 or secure in-app messaging.

Traveling during fertility treatment may feel overwhelming, but it’s definitely doable. While the fertility journey involves many moving parts, careful planning and coordination with your care team can help you take a trip without impacting your treatment. Use the suggestions below to prepare for your travels. 

A Guide to Traveling During Fertility Treatment

Advanced preparation is important when traveling with any medication. Given the complex and time-sensitive nature of fertility treatment, the planning process involves a few more steps.

First, consult your doctor about your plans and make sure your intended travel dates don’t conflict with your treatment. In vitro fertilization (IVF) requires very thorough travel planning, since it entails multiple in-person doctor’s appointments and a very carefully timed egg retrieval. Other treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) may leave more room for flexibility.

Regardless of your specific treatment plan, make sure you are up to date on vaccines and be sure to monitor health-related travel alerts. The CDC advises that women who intend to conceive consult their physician before traveling to a destination with potential exposure to the Zika virus.

Lastly, make sure that you have more than enough of your fertility medication(s) and supplies on hand. Aim for several additional days’ worth. Needles used to inject medications require a prescription in some states, so bring extra to avoid unnecessary hassle.

If you are traveling near an Alto location, same-day delivery of fertility medications and supplies may be available.

Pack your medications and supplies in a carry-on

When traveling by plane, it’s always best to pack important medications and supplies in your carry-on rather than in a checked bag. Bring everything you need to safely administer your medications, including syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, hand sanitizer, gauze, and a sharps disposal container.

While the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s current limit on liquids, gels, and creams in a carry-on is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters), there are exceptions for medications. Bringing needles onto a plane is acceptable when accompanied by injectable medications.

Give yourself extra time to allow for additional screening of these items. The following tips may help you get through security as efficiently as possible.

Inform the TSA officer that you are carrying more than 3.4 ounces of liquid medication before your screening process begins, if applicable.

Bring a copy of your prescription(s) with you.

Keep all medications and supplies in their original packaging.

Put your medications and supplies in a separate, clear bag, as they will need to be separated from the rest of your belongings.

Store your medications at the appropriate temperature

Refrigeration is essential with many fertility medications. (At Alto, we ensure that medications are held at the right temperature before you receive them and guide you on safe at-home storage.)

Many people use frozen gel packs and insulated medication bags to store fertility medications at an appropriate temperature while traveling. (This approach is particularly useful for air travel.) As you finalize your travel plans, verify that your hotel or other accommodation offers access to a refrigerator or mini fridge.

Choose a flexible and reliable pharmacy partner

Fertility treatment can be stressful, let alone traveling during the process, but we’ll be with you every step of the way. We offer free, same-day delivery of medication and supplies right to your doorstep, and our dedicated fertility team is here to answer any questions you may have before your trip.

Interested in learning more about how Alto can support your fertility treatment? Request a price quote online or reach out through secure in-app messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881.

Birth control is essential healthcare, allowing you to prevent pregnancy and take charge of your reproductive health. There are many contraceptive methods to choose from. Learning more about the available options can help you, and in some cases, your partner, make the best decisions for your needs and reproductive goals.

Choosing the Right Birth Control for You | Alto Pharmacy

Read on for an overview of some common birth control methods. Our list focuses on hormonal birth control, which contain synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones play a significant role in reproduction.

There are other options for contraception that must be used every time you have sex, including condoms and diaphragms. When used correctly, condoms and diaphragms are 98% and 88% effective at preventing pregnancy, respectively.

Blog

How to Prevent or Treat Heartburn

Why Everyone Should Be Thinking About Lung Health

How to Navigate Common IVF Side Effects

National Pharmacists Month Spotlight: Wei-Lin Chang

Managing Your Child’s Diabetes at School

A Guide to Traveling During Fertility Treatment

Choosing the Right Birth Control for You

A Full Pharmacy At Your Doorstep: Introducing Essentials from Alto

Traveling With Diabetes: How to Prepare

Two Engineering Interns Weigh In: What to Expect From Your Alto Internship

Managing Your Medications While Traveling

Considerations and Approaches for Implementing Biometric Login: Part 1

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